Wycombe Wanderers’ EFL Cup run has come to an end as they narrowly lost 2-1 at home to Aston Villa.
The Chairboys were the better side for most of the contest, but Villa’s quality proved to be too strong, despite Matt Bloomfield’s side defending well and having many chances of their own.
Inside the opening 40 seconds, the visitors nearly took a lead through their man on form, Jhon Duran.
The Columbian, who has scored four in his opening six games this season, was put through on goal by Leon Bailey.
Everyone was expecting the next to bulge, but he incredibly bent his attempt past Franco Ravizzoli but beyond the right-hand post.
This was as got as it got for Unai Emery’s men, as Wycombe would end up being the better of the two sides in the opening 45 minutes.
On four minutes, Bez Lubala, who began his career at Villa’s arch-rivals, Birmingham City, fired his tame shot from distance at Joe Gauci, before he tried his luck again.
Moments later, David Wheeler’s cross was brilliantly controlled by the Congolese forward, with his acrobatic attempt being parried away by the Australian shot-stopper.
Wanderers controlled the first half as they didn’t give Villa a moment’s rest.
Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley and Emi Buendia were all rushed off the ball as Wycombe were in the ascendancy.
Wheeler, Josh Scowen on his 500th career appearance, and Matt Butcher all tried their luck, but to no avail.
And at half-time, you could argue that the Chairboys were unlucky to not be a goal up, as Villa only mustered up several half-chances.
However, the second period began with a real sucker punch as Kaden Young’s cross was headed in by Buendia.
It was the Argentine’s third of the season after his brace against Fleetwood Town in the EFL Trophy, but his first for Villa’s first team since March 2023.
Wycombe continued to show bottle as Richard Kone and Garath McCleary on two occasions went close, but to no avail.
Then, in the final moments of the contest, Duran, who nearly opened the scoring in the opening made it five goals in seven games from the penalty spot.
He was judged to have been brought down by Ravizzoli, and the 20-year-old was on hand to pick himself up and convert the spot kick.
However, replays showed that the forward clearly looked for the penalty as there was minimal, if any, contact with Wycombe’s number one.
It seemed Villa were going to keep the clean sheet but in the final few seconds, Richard Kone smashed home his fourth of the campaign.
A valiant effort but no appearance in round four for the Chairboys,
Up next for Wycombe is Bristol Rovers away on Saturday afternoon.
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